Football: New schedule, same expectations
Manteca High junior running back Nikko Juarez turns the ball up field in a victory at Marin Catholic during the 2025 non-league portion of the Buffaloes’ schedule. This season Manteca will play St. Francis, Chavez of Stockton, Chico, and Buchanan.
By BROOKLYN CORNISH
The Tower
The Manteca High football team will be road warriors in the fall as the Buffaloes seek out tougher competition.
Coach Mark Varnum has added St. Francis (San Jose), Buchanan of Fresno, and Chico to the non-league portion of the schedule, dropping Elk Grove, Cardinal Newman and Lincoln. Manteca has also added Stockton powerhouse Chavez.
“Faces change. Names change, but expectations stay the same,” said Varnum, who is 97-26 with three Sac-Joaquin Section titles in nine seasons as the head coach.
“We are going to keep bringing it every night.”
Manteca and St Francis faced it off in 2017 for the NorCal Championship and came away with a loss at home. This was star quarterback Gino Campiotti’s last game. Campiotti has returned to his alma mater as a teacher and assistant coach.
“This is definitely a get-back game,” Varnum said.
In the 2025-26 season, St Francis went 5-2 placing third in their league and losing in the first round of the playoffs to Los Gatos. The junior offensive star Motu Keanaaina led the team in rushing yards and in total touchdowns. Manteca’s defense is going to have to keep a close eye on Keanaaina.
Buchanan of Fresno is known for their ability to get the ball in the endzone. With the junior Gannon Server leading in touchdowns and receiving yards, he played a big role in Buchanan's 8-4 overall record. Manteca junior Julian Ramirez is expecting good outcomes for his senior season.
“We will allow very little receptions and go 110 (percent) every day,” Ramirez said.
Chico went undefeated in six preseason games and 3-4 in league, and made it to the fourth round in playoffs, finally losing to Bishop. All their leading players on the offensive and defensive side are graduating seniors, making their upcoming 26-27 season unpredictable. However, Julian Ramirez is ready to respond by “communicating on all sides of the ball and holding his fellow teammates accountable.”
Chavez is Manteca's home opener making this their only home game in their preseason run. Chavez is known for their football and went undefeated in preseason as well as league making their only loss to Granite Bay in the first round of playoffs. Sophomore Elijah Walker led the team with 36 overall touchdowns.
Manteca's star running back Nikko Juarez is ready for this game.
“They think they run Stockton, and we run Manteca,” Juarez said. “We are going to make a big statement that night.”